In 1946 Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed a visionary dentist, pioneered setting up of Indian Dental Association (IDA).  Initially IDA was called All India Dental Association.  IDA has affiliation with FDI World Dental Federation.  Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed is known as ‘Father of Indian Dentistry’.

IDA represents the dental professionals of India; IDA has 75000 plus members, 450 local branches, 29 state branches, 7 union territory branches and 1 defense branch.  The objective of IDA includes promotion of public oral health.  IDA has several programs to enhance understanding and addressing issues of public oral health.  IDA is committed to improvement of oral health of public through innovation in education, training, research, advocacy and related programs.

As per WHO, oral health affects nearly 3.5 billion people across the world.  Many oral diseases are preventable.  Untreated oral disease causes pain, discomfort, disfiguring of face, disability and even death.  Untreated permanent tooth caries is the most common health condition as per Global Burden of Disease 2019.  Consumption of high sugary foods, tobacco and alcohol usage causes tooth decay and gum disease.  Underlying conditions like diabetes worsen the situation for patients.  Lack of knowledge and poor oral hygiene is the most common reason for bad oral health.

When we discuss with dentists they cite various cases of poor oral hygiene.  For instance, lack of denture hygiene results in gum infection and in unfortunate cases, the oral fungal infection spreads to brain, which is fatal.  Poor denture hygiene leads to dentures having high plaque and consequently, at times dentures in such cases, adhere to the gums.  Poor oral hygiene in children leads to irritability, poor study habits, and improper food intake.  Oral care when neglected leads to other consequences including poor socialization.  Oral health is the key to overall physical, mental and social health.

Also Read: Oral health: An important priority 

IDA Abhaya campaign: focusing on women’s oral health

Oral health of women is challenged by neglect of oral hygiene and internal hormonal factors; this affects overall health, as the mouth is gateway to overall women’s health.

1. At puberty, where there is onset of menstruation or sexual maturation of girl child, increased female hormones may cause tender gums and bleeding on brushing.

2. During the menstruation phase, menstruation gingivitis (inflammation of gums), dry mouth, bad breath, reduced saliva production, and mouth sores can occur. The use of oral contraceptives makes gums sensitive and consequently gum bleeding occurs easily.

3. During pregnancy, gum bleeding – particularly in cases of pre-existing gum disease – is frequently seen. Pregnancy may cause changes in saliva composition that leads to enamel erosion.  Nausea and vomiting during first trimester puts erosion stress on the teeth of pregnant women.

4. In the menopause period, when there is stop of menstruation, jaw bone density may reduce and that can lead to severe gum disease. Further, dental sensitivity discomfort and pain on exposure to ingested hot or cold fluids, reduced saliva production, burning sensation in mouth, reduced saliva production, gum recession, dry mouth, altered taste sensation, tooth decay and a condition called menopausal gingivostomatitis (shiny, pale & dry gums that bleed easily) occur in vulnerable women.

Group Pharmaceuticals @ IDA Abhaya program for women’s oral health

There is a dire need to launch educational programs and lead the change for enhanced awareness and management of oral conditions in women during her different stages of life.  IDA has ideated the Abhaya program for women’s oral health to fill this gap.  And partnering IDA in this noble venture is Group Pharmaceuticals (www.grouppharma.com), which is a professionally managed international oral healthcare products company. The motto of Group Pharmaceuticals IDA Abhaya program is: WE ENVISION A HEALTHIER LIFE FOR EVERY WOMAN IN INDIA THROUGH EVERYDAY ORAL CARE.  Please check out this website: https://abhaya.ida.org.in/ wherein engagement programs of IDA Abhaya program are updated.

IDA as a visionary stakeholder in oral healthcare activities of India and has taken the lead to provide a very relevant ABHAYA women’s oral health campaign.  This shall contribute to higher quality of life and provides impetus to dental tourism, as there is a buzz of admiration for the ABHAYA campaign across other countries too.

Sunil S Chiplunkar M Pharm (Pharmacology) MBA (Marketing) PGDHRM (PhD)

VP – Business Development, Group Pharmaceuticals, Bangalore

E mail: 1969sunilchiplunkar@gmail.com

Mob: 6364578669

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Covid-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019.  This viral disease started its journey from Wuhan, China’s wet non-veg wildlife market and rapidly spread across the world with astonishing speed.  The causative germ SARS-CoV-2 (severe acure respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2) is a novel virus that is alleged to have jumped from the bat to pangolin and from there to humans.  This RNA (ribose nucleic acid) virus has an attraction towards ACE2 receptors, which are specific proteins located on the outer surface of human cell membranes in respiratory system (nose, throat, airways to lungs) and various other organs including kidney, liver, pancreas, mouth, adipose tissue, testicles and small intestine.

On inhalation or entry through the mouth, the tiny 90 nm viral particles (range: 65 nm to 125 nm), about 100 million or 10 crore SARS-CoV-2 viral particles can fit on a pin head, get attracted to the ACE2 receptors and bind with them.  The virus then assimilates into the host cell membrane and finally enters inside the cell.  The virus RNA moves to the host human cell nucleus and starts to control the cellular activity to make millions of copies of itself.  The new viruses thus created in the host cell are released outside the cell and they infect other cells.  There by the virus multiplies and viral load increases in the body.  If body’s immunity suppresses the virus then the patient recovers.

However, if the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 load increases in the lungs, the viral infection leads to lung inflammation (swelling and loss of function), this is called viral pneumonia or viral lung infection.  This is a dangerous stage since oxygen transfer from lungs to blood is impaired.  Thereby other organs of the body do not function properly as they are starved for oxygen.  This affects production of WBCs or fighter white blood cells.  Immunity weakens and death occurs due to Covid-19 viral pneumonia.

Also Read: How to regain your health post a Covid-19 Infection? 

Diabetes

Improper metabolism or cellular chemical reactions where blood glucose levels increase and remain high in a sustained manner, this metabolic disease is called diabetes.  Glucose needs to be transferred into cells from the bloodstream for energy (ATP) production and cell activity.  Insulin circulating in blood is a protein chemical messenger (hormone), which enables transfer of glucose from bloodstream into the cells.

Insulin is a key and unlocks the gate in cell membrane to enable entry of glucose from blood into the cell.  Further, excess glucose in blood is also converted to glycogen and then to fats by liver (if glucose presence is required in blood, stored fats under the skin are transported to liver and converted to glycogen and then to glucose, and released to blood).  This way excess blood glucose is lowered and normal blood glucose range is maintained.

Diabetes is a scary disease as it causes diabetic complications – a series of “pathys”, nephropathy (disease of kidneys), neuropathy (disease of nerves), retinopathy (disease of retina in eye), dermopathy (disease of skin) and so on.  In addition, due to lack of glucose inside the cells but excess glucose in the bloodstream, diabetics are fatigued, have emotional disturbances like irritability, suffer abnormally high thirst and hunger and shed body weight suddenly.  Doctors recommend exercise, diet and medicine to control diabetes and avoid diabetic complications.

Covid-19 and diabetes

Diabetic patients take a big hit if Covid-19 viral infection strikes.  They suffer severe Covid-19 more easily.  Recovery is also slower than normal patients.  Further, Covid-19 viral disease is also known to cause diabetes, terming the viral disease Covid-19 as diabetogenic.  If steroids are used for longer period to manage viral disease symptoms, then the steroids themselves cause diabetes as a side effect.

Stress hyperglycemia (sustained increase in blood glucose levels) due to inability to cope with a situation is also increased in Covid-19 patients.  Frequency and severity of diabetic complications is also increased due to Covid-19.  Thus, Covid-19 affects diabetics and precipitates diabetes in prediabetics and other vulnerable people.

Also Read: Vaccine is the best way to get the world out of pandemic mode 

Covid-19: vaccination is the way forward

Overall, Covid-19 is a risky disease causing much loss in quality of life and death.  The single most potent weapon against Covid-19 continues to be prevention through vaccination.  Use of mask to reduce viral load entry through nose and mouth is a very valid approach to protect oneself from Covid-19.  Particularly, in closed rooms and air conditioned places, Covid-19 virus transmission with higher viral loads is possible.  Hence, vaccinate (including booster doses) oneself and protect from Covid-19.

Sunil S Chiplunkar M Pharm (Pharmacology) MBA (Marketing) PGDHRM (PhD)

VP – Business Development, Group Pharmaceuticals, Bangalore

E mail: 1969sunilchiplunkar@gmail.com

Mob: 63645 78669

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The parasite virus is also called ‘visha’ in Sanskrit.  This is due to the toxic nature of many viruses, which have a very simple structure: the outer coat of protein and lipids that encloses either the RNA or DNA genetic material.  RNA stands for ribose nucleic acid and viruses that contain this single stranded RNA are called RNA viruses (eg. SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19).  DNA stands for deoxy ribose nucleic acid and viruses that contain the double stranded DNA are called DNA viruses (eg. adenovirus that causes common cold).

Viruses are obligate (compulsory) intracellular (they live inside host cell) parasites.  They enter host cell, hijack the nucleus, and control cellular machinery and makes copies of itself using the cell as a resource.  These copies of the virus then go on to infect other host cells – the new viruses enter new host cells and again makes viral copies.  This vicious cycle of entering the host cell, viral replication and entering other host cells – causes ever increasing viral load in the host body and thus severity of viral infection goes on increasing.  Either the natural immunity of the host body quells the viral infection or the host body succumbs to the viral infection.  Hence, the toxic nature of pathogenic or disease causing minute viruses can be distressing and at times fatal.

 Cancer is a frightening word

Cancer is a frightening word; this is a disease of the body in which body’s cells become enemy of the body.  When normal human cells turn abnormal due to genetic reasons or influence of certain chemicals or radiation – these cells start to multiply in an unrestricted way.  In cancer, there is uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells and this often leads to swelling, pain and bleeding as common signs and symptoms of cancer.  Carcinogens are established compounds or entities that are known to be cancer causing, they stimulate conversion of normal cells to abnormal cells and cancer is the result, as such, cancer can occur anywhere in the body.  Cancer can occur in the liquid component of the body (blood cancer) or in non-liquid part of the body too, in various organs.

Cancer can occur outside on the skin, lips and nose or in any of the internal organs like liver, pancreas, bone marrow and brain.  Well known carcinogens that cause cancer include tobacco smoke, benzene, radon, asbestos, various workplace chemicals, radiation, biological agents like viruses and even medications.  Getting afflicted with cancer implies severe loss in quality of life, many a time – death and a severe drain in finances.  The cancer patient’s social life and family life, plus the quality of life of caregivers’ in the family and friend circle is full of stress, anxiety, trauma and disruptions.

Viruses that cause cancer

If cancer is a dreaded disease causing much pain, anguish, trauma and death, just imagine how much suffering can be caused by a cancer causing virus, which is a toxic parasite.  Hence, from time immemorial holistic systems of healing like Ayurveda have emphasized detoxification to boost immunity or self-defense function.  If toxic overload is there in the body, metabolism and immunity are impaired and diseases like cancer occur in the individual.

Viruses that cause cancer are called oncoviruses.  Many of these oncoviruses are retrovirus, which means they can insert their RNA into the DNA of the host cell.  This RNA insertion into the host cell genetic makeup causes formation of cancerous tumours. Human tumour viruses are said to cause 12% to 20% of the global cancers.  These tumour viruses are known to cause persistent infection; they infect the host cell but do not kill them and cancer occurs years after infection. The oncoviruses are: Epstein – Barr Virus, Papillomaviruses 16 and 18, Herpes virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, HTLV-1, Merkel Cell Polyomavirus, and HIV.  

 An example of the oncovirus is the HTLV-1, which stands for human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and as the name indicates, this virus is having a strong affinity towards the T lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell).  HTLV-1 is a retro virus – this is a type of virus that inserts its RNA into the DNA of the host cell.  After this the HTLV-1 virus changes the normal pattern of DNA folding in the host cell.  The viral RNA acts on many sites of the human genome to cause this disruption of gene function by inducing abnormal human DNA folding inside the host cell.  This makes the T lymphocytes overactive immune cells and turns them into cancerous.  This rare type of cancer caused by HTLV-1 is called Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL).

As seen above oncoviruses cause persistent infection and the cancer may develop after several decades of the viral infection as in the case of ATL (due to HTLV-1).  There are an estimated 50 lakh to 1 crore carriers of this HTLV-1 virus in the world, in Japan alone it is estimated there are 10 lakh carriers.  The chronic activation of T lymphocytes by HTLV-1 is a phenomenon of research study and holds the key to anticancer drug development.

 Post Covid-19 scientific approach.

The other interesting facet of ongoing research is the carcinogenic potential of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 pneumonia and multiorgan damage.  Even non retroviruses like coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are known to cause persistent infection.  There are certain viral structural reasons for investigating carcinogenic potential of SARS-CoV-2.  Thus, besides long Covid complications – other long term complications are also being investigated.  Hence, good immune nutrition, hygiene practices and scientific detoxification practices to reduce oxidative stress – due to overproduction of toxic free radicals – and decreasing other toxin overload, is a post Covid-19 scientific approach.

Oncoviruses gain entry and infect humans through infected bodily fluids like semen, blood, and breast milk.  Thus, unprotected sex, injecting drug use, tissue transplantation, and blood or blood product transfusion can be a source of HTLV-1 transmission (and other oncoviruses).  Human immunity can be made strong only through optimal immune nutrition, and reducing entry of pathogenic microbes like viruses & bacteria, and infectious proteins like prion proteins.  Hence, staying safe through precautionary methods is good sense!

Sunil S Chiplunkar

M Pharm (Pharmacology) MBA (Marketing) PGDHRM (PhD)

VP – Business Development

Group Pharmaceuticals, Bangalore

E mail: 1969sunilchiplunkar@gmail.com

Mob: 63645 78669

Further reading:

• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-t-lymphotropic-virus-type-1
• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/232637/how-virus-transforms-immune-cells-into/
• Further reading: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2267909/
• https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/7-viruses-that-cause-cancer.h17-1592202.html
• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/186970/cancer-causing-virus-htlv-1-changes-dna-loops/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987720311531

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